lowly

  • 1Lowly — Low ly, a. [Compar. {Lowlier}; superl. {Lowliest}.] [Low, a. + ly.] 1. Not high; not elevated in place; low. Lowly lands. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. Low in rank or social importance. [1913 Webster] One common right the great and lowly claims. Pope …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Lowly — Low ly, adv. 1. In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly. Be lowly wise. Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. In a low condition; meanly. [1913 Webster] I will show myself highly fed, and lowly taught. Shak. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3lowly — index base (inferior), ignoble, inferior (lower in position), subaltern, subordinate Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 4lowly — c.1300 (adv.); late 14c. (adj.) humble, from LOW (Cf. low) (adj.) + LY (Cf. ly) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5lowly — meek, *humble, modest Analogous words: submissive, subdued, *tame: retiring, withdrawing (see GO): reverential, deferential, obeisant (see corresponding nouns at HONOR) Antonyms: pompous Contrasted words: pretentious, ostentatious, *showy:… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 6lowly — [adj] inferior, plain average, base, baseborn, cast down, common, commonplace, docile, dutiful, everyday, gentle, humble, ignoble, low, lowborn, mean, meek, menial, mild, modest, mundane, obscure, obsequious, ordinary, plebeian, poor, proletarian …

    New thesaurus

  • 7lowly — ► ADJECTIVE (lowlier, lowliest) 1) low in status or importance. 2) (of an organism) primitive or simple. ► ADVERB ▪ to a low degree. DERIVATIVES lowliness noun …

    English terms dictionary

  • 8lowly — [lō′lē] adj. lowlier, lowliest 1. of or suited to a low position or rank 2. humble; meek 3. ordinary; commonplace adv. lowlier, lowliest 1. humbly; meekly 2 …

    English World dictionary

  • 9lowly — lowlily, adv. lowliness, n. /loh lee/, adj., lowlier, lowliest, adv. adj. 1. humble in station, condition, or nature: a lowly cottage. 2. low in growth or position. 3. humble in attitude, behavior, or spirit; meek. adv. 4. in a low position,… …

    Universalium

  • 10lowly — [[t]lo͟ʊli[/t]] lowlier, lowliest ADJ GRADED If you describe someone or something as lowly, you mean that they are low in rank, status, or importance. ...lowly bureaucrats pretending to be senators... He was irked by his lowly status …

    English dictionary